Who Let the Dogs Out for Chinese New Year ?

February 16, 2018

Manchester Airport let the dogs out as it surprised passengers arriving from Beijing as they waited for their baggage as part of its Chinese New Year celebrations.

Passengers travelling on the direct flight from Beijing got a treat when their baggage came around on the carousel – with a cuddly toy dog. More than 250 stuffed toys were given out to passengers to mark The Year of the Dog.

The dogs proved hugely popular with passengers, as they filmed them on the carousel and took selfies with the toys. A Chinese Lion dancer was also on hand to help with the celebrations.

A Manchester Airport spokesman said:

What better way to see in The Year of the Dog than by giving our Chinese passengers their very own cuddly toy dog upon arrival to the UK’s global gateway in the North. We’ve had direct routes to China since 2014 and each year our Chinese New Year celebrations get bigger and bigger. We’d like to thank all our passengers for flying through Manchester and wish them a very happy and prosperous Chinese New Year.”

The surprise was part of Manchester Airport’s Chinese New Year Celebrations as it marks being the only airport outside of London to have direct flights to Beijing and Hong Kong. The airport has been transformed with Chinese lanterns and all week passengers have been surprised with the airport choir singing, and a Chinese dance flash mob.

Manchester Airport is also sponsoring Pugfest on Sunday 25 February at Tribeca on Sackvill Street. Pugfest will see Chinese entertainment and activities including the Grand Pug Dog Show, Chinese themed food and drinks, a Chinese fortune teller for both humans and pugs and calligraphy and Chinese lantern workshops.